1951
Robert
2015
Robert Gudenkauf
October 18, 1951 — March 29, 2015
Robert (Bob) Mark Gudenkauf (63) passed away Palm Sunday (March 29, 2015) surrounded by his loving family. He entered this life on October 18, 1951 in Seneca, Kansas. He was the second child born to Hubert Mark and Ramona Gudenkauf. Bob grew up in Frankfort, Kansas where he attended Annunciation Grade School and then graduated from Frankfort High School in 1969. He attended Cloud County Community College then graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Industrial Technology in 1974 where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Bob married his college sweetheart, Debra Powers Gudenkauf, in September of 1974. Bob and Debbie were blessed with two children, Jared Mark and Amy Susan.
Bob loved being a husband and father. During his final days he shared that he was “most proud” of his wife and children and that he wanted to be remembered as a nice old guy that would help anybody. He was always there when his friends or family needed help with a home repair and was generous with his time and tools. He spent many weekends on the lake with his family and friends, teaching the kids’ how to water-ski when they were in early grade school. In fact, through the kids high school and college years, the Gudenkauf boat was the place to be on Sunday afternoons.
Bob’s professional career of 40 years was focused around the automotive business. He began as a service advisor then quickly rose to a position of vice president and general manager of a local dealership. In 1996, Bob decided to become a business owner and purchased an AAMCO Transmission franchise. Over the next few years he added 2 additional shops. Bob became know as someone with the ability to purchase a struggling business and turn it around. Throughout his career he was recognized multiple times for his excellence in customer service, winning multiple trips that he enjoyed with Debbie and their children.
In 2002, Bob’s life journey took a turn when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Having only missed one day of work in 40 years, Bob continued to work through treatment (including a stem cell transplant) until he learned in 2013 that he would battle cancer a third time. During this remission, Bob obtained a job selling tools at Sears. Bob loved learning a new skill set and he thoroughly enjoyed being back in the public talking with customers. Because Bob was an accomplished home and car repair person, this job was a perfect fit. Bob enjoyed this until cancer visited for the fourth and final time in January of 2015.
During Bob’s nearly 13 year battle with lymphoma he was always willing to accept the challenge of yet another treatment in order to have more time with his beloved wife, children and grandson. He continued to demonstrate perseverance under adversity and was an excellent role model as he never felt sorry for himself, saying, “I’ve still got stuff to do, we’ve just got to get through this” and “I’m fine, hon – really, I am.”
Bob loved watching his children grow into successful adults and spending time with his grandson, building a swing in the backyard, reading to him, watching birds and eating popcorn.
Bob was a former member of the Holy Cross Council of Knights of Columbus (3rd degree) and was listed through the Daughters of American Revolution as a spouse.
Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debbie, his son Jared Mark Gudenkauf (Natalie) and grandson, Theodore Robert and his daughter, Amy Susan Gudenkauf. He is also survived by his mother, Ramona Gudenkauf, sister Linda Scheck (Rod) and brother, Charles Gudenkauf (Pam), brother and sister-in-laws Greg and Kristi Powers, Donna Powers and Deanna Ozment (Steve) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his grandson Jude Mark and his father, Hubert Mark.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 31 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 900 S. Honeysuckle Drive, Olathe, Kansas 66061 on Wednesday April 1st., 2015 with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivera Rd., Lenexa, Kansas 66216. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountyfuneralchapel.com
Contributions in honor of Robert Mark Gudenkauf may be made to: St. Paul Catholic Church Relocation Fund, 900 Honeysuckle Drive, Olathe, KS 66061 or Cancer Action, 10520 Barkley St, Ste 100, Overland Park, KS 66212. We wish to express our deepest appreciation for all of the love and support we have received through Bob's lengthy illness. During those darkest times it was family, friends and Bob's strength and wit that helped us get through. We will miss Bob's loving gentleness but know that he's now watching over all of us and that we will one day be reunited with Bob and all of those who have gone before us. Thank you, Debbie, Jared, Natalie, Amy and Teddy
Bob loved being a husband and father. During his final days he shared that he was “most proud” of his wife and children and that he wanted to be remembered as a nice old guy that would help anybody. He was always there when his friends or family needed help with a home repair and was generous with his time and tools. He spent many weekends on the lake with his family and friends, teaching the kids’ how to water-ski when they were in early grade school. In fact, through the kids high school and college years, the Gudenkauf boat was the place to be on Sunday afternoons.
Bob’s professional career of 40 years was focused around the automotive business. He began as a service advisor then quickly rose to a position of vice president and general manager of a local dealership. In 1996, Bob decided to become a business owner and purchased an AAMCO Transmission franchise. Over the next few years he added 2 additional shops. Bob became know as someone with the ability to purchase a struggling business and turn it around. Throughout his career he was recognized multiple times for his excellence in customer service, winning multiple trips that he enjoyed with Debbie and their children.
In 2002, Bob’s life journey took a turn when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Having only missed one day of work in 40 years, Bob continued to work through treatment (including a stem cell transplant) until he learned in 2013 that he would battle cancer a third time. During this remission, Bob obtained a job selling tools at Sears. Bob loved learning a new skill set and he thoroughly enjoyed being back in the public talking with customers. Because Bob was an accomplished home and car repair person, this job was a perfect fit. Bob enjoyed this until cancer visited for the fourth and final time in January of 2015.
During Bob’s nearly 13 year battle with lymphoma he was always willing to accept the challenge of yet another treatment in order to have more time with his beloved wife, children and grandson. He continued to demonstrate perseverance under adversity and was an excellent role model as he never felt sorry for himself, saying, “I’ve still got stuff to do, we’ve just got to get through this” and “I’m fine, hon – really, I am.”
Bob loved watching his children grow into successful adults and spending time with his grandson, building a swing in the backyard, reading to him, watching birds and eating popcorn.
Bob was a former member of the Holy Cross Council of Knights of Columbus (3rd degree) and was listed through the Daughters of American Revolution as a spouse.
Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debbie, his son Jared Mark Gudenkauf (Natalie) and grandson, Theodore Robert and his daughter, Amy Susan Gudenkauf. He is also survived by his mother, Ramona Gudenkauf, sister Linda Scheck (Rod) and brother, Charles Gudenkauf (Pam), brother and sister-in-laws Greg and Kristi Powers, Donna Powers and Deanna Ozment (Steve) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his grandson Jude Mark and his father, Hubert Mark.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 31 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 900 S. Honeysuckle Drive, Olathe, Kansas 66061 on Wednesday April 1st., 2015 with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivera Rd., Lenexa, Kansas 66216. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountyfuneralchapel.com
Contributions in honor of Robert Mark Gudenkauf may be made to: St. Paul Catholic Church Relocation Fund, 900 Honeysuckle Drive, Olathe, KS 66061 or Cancer Action, 10520 Barkley St, Ste 100, Overland Park, KS 66212. We wish to express our deepest appreciation for all of the love and support we have received through Bob's lengthy illness. During those darkest times it was family, friends and Bob's strength and wit that helped us get through. We will miss Bob's loving gentleness but know that he's now watching over all of us and that we will one day be reunited with Bob and all of those who have gone before us. Thank you, Debbie, Jared, Natalie, Amy and Teddy
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